Page 137 of Every Move You Make

Oh my god, there’s an entire storm of rugby teams saying they won’t play until we are given our positions back. Cities and countries all over. Pro and club level. Wales, Philly, San Diego, Argentina, Canada, Australia, New Zealand… even college teams. My entire team has made statements in support of us.

Even brands.

@ADIDASNorthAmerica Hey Robyn Cassidy. We’re #WithYouWithLove

@CastleWhiskeyLove is strength. #WithYouWithLove

@PolarRandomHouseBooks Dibs on this memoir. #WithYouWithLove

“That’s it,” I smile and toss my phone aside before launching off the bed toward the bathroom. “I’m running this time.”

Chapter 51

With You

Isaiah

When I pull into the parking lot of the Valor’s training facility and offices, I don’t see Robyn’s Jeep, but that’s probably because I’m twenty minutes early. Ever since I realized I’m the biggest idiot ever, I’ve been running.

I run into the lobby. I run up the stairs.

Robyn and I are supposed to be interviewed together, but when I spot two people from HR, Bob, and the President of USA Valor, Ken Cartwright already sitting in the glass conference room and looking at Robyn and Dell’s statements on the monitor, I run again.

Every second counts.

“Excuse me,” I huff, realizing now just how out of breath I am.

Dan from HR holds up his hand. “Isaiah, you have at least another fifteen—”

“If I step down as head coach,” I interrupt as I step inside and the door closes behind me. “If I resign, will Robyn be able to keep her job?”

The four of them look between one another and the statements again. Ken, a white man well into his sixties with a crisp haircut and permanently stern face, looks at me. “Mr. Johanssen, do you understand the severity of this situation?”

“Yes, of course. The perceived power imbalance alone should be enough for me to lose my job.”

Ken gestures to the monitor. “She says herethat—”

“I know what they said and it’s all true. I love her. I love him. More than this job—no offense, it was a great gig—but I will happily step down if it means she can keep her job. This is her livelihood, but it is just a job for me.”

Ken turns to Dan, and they nod before everyone looks at me again. “She can keep her job if you resign.”

“Done,1” I laugh.

A giddy energy bubbles from the soles of my feet and evaporates above me. I just quit a job most rugby players would dream of having, but I feel nothing but raw joy at my future. Is this what Dell always feels like? Making a decision no matter how big or small and flinging himself into it with abandon? I thought it would be a lot more terrifying. Maybe it would have been if I was doing it alone, but I’m not.

Robyn and Dell’s public statements play in my mind.

They’re with me.

They didn’t give up on me.

And as I exit the conference room without another word, I turn and there, waiting in the lobby is my whole life.

Robyn and Dell. Watching me.

“Did you just do what I think you did?” she asks, her eyes round and gleaming with hope and unshed tears.

I stop short. “I did. You’re gonna need a new head coach.”

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